Visits to the Simón Bolívar Zoo dropped almost 50% in the last 4 months.
This was stated by Yolanda Matamoros, director of the Simón Bolívar Foundation (Fundazoo). She blamed the national press for scaring people, after publishing complaints about lion Kivu’s health.
In addition, MINAE ordered Fundazoo to build a new enclosure where Kivú could live. Nevertheless, at this moment the foundation does not have the resources to carry out the work.
Matamoros declared that in order to build a new site in Simón Bolívar Zoo, 100 million colones will have to be collected and a campaign to raise funds will be started. On the other hand, if the Kivú’s home is built in Santa Ana, costs would amount to 250 million colones.
the foundation asked 25 months and 16 days to complete the project in Santa Ana. Now, national authorities will have 10 days to decide Kivú’s future that currenty remains at Simón Bolívar Zoo.